Any barefoot runners?

**geoffny25** · 03-23-2011, 08:42 PM

So, those water shoes...After extended use, how do they hold up?

I suffer from major shin splints and haven't run in over a year. I know that when I did run I would land on my heel and slap my foot.

All the reading on the quality of barefoot running has me wanting to get back to trail running.

But how do those water shoes hold up?

**TimmyBoston** · 03-23-2011, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by geoffny25

So, those water shoes...After extended use, how do they hold up?

I suffer from major shin splints and haven't run in over a year. I know that when I did run I would land on my heel and slap my foot.

All the reading on the quality of barefoot running has me wanting to get back to trail running.

But how do those water shoes hold up?

I'm no where near sold as for running in Vibrams. I own a pair, I've run in them. I like them very much. I think you should focus more on running form, midfoot striking as opposed to be insistent on running barefoot. Dropping immediately to running in Vibrams from being a heel striker will lead to injury. You'll need to work your way there slowly.

But to answer your question, I think these would last a very, very, very long time. And be a better trail shoe, if that's your focus. The outsole is made by Vibram.

http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT10/

All extreme minimalist shoes will last a very long time because there is no foam to break down.

I have been looking at a pair. I have a couple friends who have them and love them both as a walking around shoe and as a very minimalist/near barefoot style trail shoe.

**geoffny25** · 03-23-2011, 09:16 PM

Thanks for the info,

I do need to revamp my form, I know it's awful. I've spent the last year jumping rope and biking, but I miss running.

Every little bit helps!

**dustyhanson** · 03-23-2011, 09:20 PM

My water socks are still holding up great! Can't beat'm for 10 bucks!

**Go West Young Man** · 03-24-2011, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by geoffny25

Thanks for the info,

I do need to revamp my form, I know it's awful. I've spent the last year jumping rope and biking, but I miss running.

Every little bit helps!

VFF's will help push you in the direction of better technique, but they won't by themselves make you a better runner.

**geoffny25** · 03-24-2011, 08:04 AM

Yea, I watched the video on Marathon running in under 2 hours. It was interesting to see the running mechanics broken down, and to see that I was doing all the wrong things.

I need to pretty much reteach myself how to run (sounds funny saying that), so that I can cover distances without my legs feeling like they're crippled from shin splints.

-Geoff

**Obsessed** · 03-26-2011, 05:48 PM

What about using Chuck Taylors for "barefoot" running? They're flat, and its not like they have any support to speak of.

**bassmanlarry** · 03-26-2011, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Obsessed

What about using Chuck Taylors for "barefoot" running? They're flat, and its not like they have any support to speak of.

I have often wondered this myself. From what I understand, many minimalist shoe fanatics consider Chuck Taylors soles too thick.

**TimmyBoston** · 03-26-2011, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Obsessed

What about using Chuck Taylors for "barefoot" running? They're flat, and its not like they have any support to speak of.

I never have used them, but there are those who do for that purpose.

**Clovis Man** · 03-26-2011, 11:36 PM

Back in the late '70's, when I was first in the Marine Corps, I got in the habit of running barefoot. No, I don't mean in any kind of socks or anything, absolutely BAREFOOT. I could run faster that way, but after just a few months, some busybody decided he didn't like it, made some phone calls, and that was the end of my barefoot running. Well, for the Marine Corps, at least. Occasionally I'll take my shoes & socks off and jog up the street at bit, but the asphalt (macadam) has to be smooth as glass to be able to do it.

**instpasr** · 03-27-2011, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by 13ALPHA

I just read up on the regs, the specific components of the uniform list shirts, shorts, pants, etc, but NOT the shoes.

Under authorized items, such as long underwear, are "commercial athletic shoes" So shoes are not a required compenent, but are authorized. Sounds like I could argue that it would work.

Five fingers were discussed in an army times article several months ago and there was a quote in there that they were permitted at the commanders discretion. I know the last SMA wore them so I think you could make an argument.

**geoffny25** · 03-29-2011, 08:35 PM

Well, I pulled out my pair of Chucks. Ran a mile and half to get back into it. Focused on running on my toes and it was a good run. Had to slow in the middle due to my lungs burning from the cold air.

Woke up today and my calf muscles felt like they got ripped off, but no shin splints! I'll wait a couple days to heal and and go back at it to retrain my calf's to get used to this running style.

I thought that jumping rope would train me for this, seems similar - a lot of bouncing. But apparently that forward motion uses different muscle combo's.

Anyway, it's the way of Rocky for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPFK5T_G3U

**TimmyBoston** · 03-29-2011, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by geoffny25

Well, I pulled out my pair of Chucks. Ran a mile and half to get back into it. Focused on running on my toes and it was a good run. Had to slow in the middle due to my lungs burning from the cold air.

Woke up today and my calf muscles felt like they got ripped off, but no shin splints! I'll wait a couple days to heal and and go back at it to retrain my calf's to get used to this running style.

I thought that jumping rope would train me for this, seems similar - a lot of bouncing. But apparently that forward motion uses different muscle combo's.

Anyway, it's the way of Rocky for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPFK5T_G3U

Make sure you go slow with adding miles. You've switched the flexion of your foot and while it does really alleviate the stress to your shins, the plantar flexion used in forefoot striking transfers the strain to your calves.

**Never2Late** · 03-30-2011, 07:30 PM

Serendipitous thread... I have very flat feet and have always been shod by the farrier at the local running establishment with shoes like the Brooks Beast. In a lazy moment some 6 weeks back, I got on my treadmill and started running barefoot. Enjoyed the run but also noticed far less residual pain in my knees the next day. I graduated to socks and then finally to a pair of Nike Free 3.0 shoes. I am glad that I made the progression slowly but I don't see myself wearing anything but minimal shoes from this point forward. YMMV but for me its been a game changer... and it feels great to run again.

**13ALPHA** · 04-03-2011, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by instpasr

Five fingers were discussed in an army times article several months ago and there was a quote in there that they were permitted at the commanders discretion. I know the last SMA wore them so I think you could make an argument.

Seems like they're picking up everywhere, just sucks the ground is snow covered 7 months out of the year. Turns out my brother in the Marines has been running in them for a while, quite a few others also in his platoon.

**ChristianC** · 04-03-2011, 10:23 PM

I use Vibram Five fingers, Bikila model, and I love them, It feels so right to run feeling everthing on the floor, plus I feel as if I'm faster.

**instpasr** · 04-04-2011, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by instpasr

Five fingers were discussed in an army times article several months ago and there was a quote in there that they were permitted at the commanders discretion. I know the last SMA wore them so I think you could make an argument.

Originally Posted by 13ALPHA

Seems like they're picking up everywhere, just sucks the ground is snow covered 7 months out of the year. Turns out my brother in the Marines has been running in them for a while, quite a few others also in his platoon.

I just saw an off brand in the PX at Ft Drum this weekend when I was up there, unfortunatly they didn't have my size.

**Clovis Man** · 04-04-2011, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by instpasr

I just saw an off brand in the PX at Ft Drum this weekend when I was up there, unfortunatly they didn't have my size.

I'm surprised -- AAFES usually carries name brands -- even Asics, which isn't as popular as Nike, New Balance, etc -- but at least you can find Asics in the civilian world. What WAS the brand of these things you saw???

**instpasr** · 04-04-2011, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Clovis Man

I'm surprised -- AAFES usually carries name brands -- even Asics, which isn't as popular as Nike, New Balance, etc -- but at least you can find Asics in the civilian world. What WAS the brand of these things you saw???

I think they were Fila's